Delivery mechanism for carton sealing machines



1923 4 sheets-sheet 1 Jan. l2, 1932. G. A. ROBINSON DELIVERY MECHANISMFOR CARTON SEALTNG MACHINES Filed Oct. 'l0

Jan. 12, 1932. 1,840,410

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES G. A. ROBINSON Filed OCL.lO, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR "mw, Cmwumw/J 4' ATTORNEW "1 Jan. 12,1932. G. A. ROBINSON 1,840,410

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledOct. lO,

IN VEN TOR Jan. l2, 1932. G. A. ROBINSON 1,840,410

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES FiledvOCt. l0, 1923 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR f E W. M m. T A

Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE A. ROBINSON,OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T l JOHNSON AUTO- MATIC SEALER CO.,LTD., OF BATTLE CREEK, KICHIGAN, A PARTNERSHIP ASSOCIA- TION LIMITED 0FMICHIGAN DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR CARTON SELLING MACHINESl Applicationfiled October 10, 1923. Serial' No. 667,745.

the same to the delivery conveyor, or dryer,-

the frames swinging away from each other to allow the unfilled bottomsealed cartons on the forms or blocks to pass by for return to the frontend of the carton sealing machine.

In practice it has been found that carton delivery mechanism of the typeabove reerred to, while effective and positive in operation, isrelatively expensive to build and install, due to the number of partsemployed and the necessity for skilled workmanship in installation andrunning of the machines, the said parts of the mechanism requiringproper co-relation to produce the desired timing thereof with thefeeding conveyor of the sealing machine and constant attention by theoperative in order to insure proper running of the machine at all times.

The principal obiects of this invention are to provide a carton deliverymechanism whicheliminates the disadvantages incident to mechanism of thetype above referred to; which may be readily installed with any of thewell-known sealing machines without appreciable alteration in theirconstruction; which is positive in operation and adjustable to meet therequirements incident to handling cartons of different sizes; whichavoids ldamage to the carton while handling the same, by the use ofresilient carton engaging devices; and which meets the requirementsincident to discharging filled cartons from all types of sealingmachines by the said resilient carton engaging devices being readilyattachable and detachable at any point on the carrier belts or chains ofthe mechanism.

This invention may be embodied in a variety of mechanical expressions,one of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, but

it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes ofillustration only and are not to be construed as defining the limits ofthe invention, reference being had to the appended claims for thispurpose.

In' said drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the delivery end ofa combination carton sealing machine, the mechanism of the presentinvention installed therewith, and the receiving end of the drier rollsand conveyor therefor.

Fig. 2 is a transverse elevation, partly in section on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan of the carton delivery mechanism. y

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail of the resilient carton engaging devices,one of the same being removed from its chain link to shcw the method ofattachment therewith, an

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail of the carbon delivery mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the side frames of the carton sealing machineare indicated' at 10, 10 and the top and bottom cross-connecting railsfor the delivery end of the machine are indicated at 11 and 11. Thecarton sealing machine, as shown, is of the type known as a comminationsealer but it is to be expressly understood that the delivery mechanismof the present invention may be installed with various other types ofcarton sealing machines. Said combination carton sealing machine isprovided with the usual carton forms or blocks 12 and supports 13arranged alternately in spaced relation on a conveyor chain 14 passingaround the usual sprocket secured on driven shaft 15, the drive for saidshaft comprising an endless chain 16 passing around the usual sprocketon'shaft 15 and a sprocket on the usual driving shaft, (not shown).

The carton delivery mechanism preferably comprises endless chains 17, 18and 17', 18 arranged in pairs one above the other, the pairs of chainsbeing oii'set from the longitudinal axis of the sealing machine conveyorcomprised by endless chain 14, carton forms or blocks 12 and supports13. Said chains are offset from the sealing machine conveyor asuiiicient distance to receive between their opposed reaches the sealedcartons onthe supports 13 of the sealing machine conveyor. Referringmore particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, the links 19 of the endless chainsare yeach provided with a threaded opening 20 to receive a threadedshank 21 of a resilient carton engaging member 22. Said chains are eachprovided at corresponding points with one or more of said resilientmembers, the chains being timed to move through a complete cycle in eachinterval of time necessary to move a carton support 13 to the receivingend of the chains. When a support with its sealed and filled cartonreaches the aforesaid position, the resilient carton engaging members 22will have also reached thesamel position and said members will grip theopposed sides of the carton, remove the same from its carrier andtransport the carton to the delivery conveyor. In the intervals ofcarry, the carton forms or blocks 12 will pass through the space betweenthe inner stretches of the chains without danger of interference with orobstruction by the carton gripping members 22. The resilient cartonengaging or gripping devices 22 may be made of any suitable material andattached to the carrier chains by any suitable means. Said devices andtheir attaching Shanks 21 are preferably formed integrally and made ofrubber, the threads on saidy Shanks being formed thereon duringv themoulding or other process used in manufacturing the devices.

The cartonl delivery mechanism is supported ontransversely adjustableframes and is provided with adjustable driving connections, whereby thepairs of chains 17, 18 and 17 18 may be moved toward or away from eachother to insure the proper gripping pressure on the cartons and also toprovide for accommodation of cartons varyin in size and shape.l Asherein shown the adjustable supporting frames comprise carriages 23, 23'slidably mounted on top cross-connecting rail 11 and provided on theirunderl sides with outwardly projecting brackets 24, 24 having under-cutgrooves 25, 25' in which are secured top supporting bars 26, 26. Saidtop supporting bars are provided with depending standards 27, 28 and27', 28', the standards being secured to the top supporting bars bybolts 29, 30 and 29', 30'. The bolts 29, 29Valso form the attachingmeans for top'supporting bars 26, 26' with brackets Bottom supportingbars 31, 31' are secured to the lower ends of said standards and atransverse stay bar 32 having elongated slots 33, and 33' is secured tothe outer ends of the top supporting bars by bolts 34, 34' which passthrough said slots and provide for transverse adjustment of ,theframe-like structures at their outerends.

Endless chains 17, 18 and 17', 18' pass around sprockets 35, 36, 37, 38and 35', 36', 37', 38, said sprockets bein adjustably secured onvertically driven s afts 39, 40 and 39', 40' journalled on the ends ofthe respective supporting frames. The bearings 39" and 39"' for theupper ends of shafts 39, 39' are preferably formed in the brackets 24,24 and the bearings for shafts 40, 40' are preferably comprised by slots40' at the outer ends of the supporting frames so that the slack ofchains 17, 18, and 17', 18' may be regulated as desired. The innerstretches of the chains are guided by upper and lower guide bars 41, 42and 41', 42' secured to standards 27, 28 and 27', 28' and by adjustableyokes 43, 44 and 43', 44'. The adjustability of the sprocket wheelsalong their vertical shafts, provides for relative vertical adjustmentof endless chains 17, 18 and 17', 18' to accommodate cartons of varyingheights.

Slidable carriages 23, 23 are disposed one at each'side of a supportingbar 45 secured at 46 to an offset portion 47 of top cross-connectingrail 11. Bolts 48 and 49 extend loosely through suitable openings in bar45 and carry at their lower extremities a pressure bar 50 which bears byits own weight against the tops of the discharging cartons to preventupward displacement of the same.

The driving connections for vthe carton delivery mechanism arepreferably comprised by the following .instrumentalitiesz A drive chain51 passes around a sprocket 52 on shaft 15 and a sprocket 53 secured onthe far end of a driven shaft 54. Driven shaft 54 is journalled in theupper ends of brackets 55 and 56 bolted or otherwise suitably secured totop-cross-connecting rail 11. At the near or tending side shaft 54 isprovided with a hand wheel 57 for initially positioning the cartongrippers 22 in position relative to carriers 13 as will be subsequentlydescribed.

The chain 16 which drives the above described instrumentalities isdriven from a suitable source of power (not shown) having the usualclutch whereby the drive may be connected or disconnected as desired.The driven shaft 54 is provided with sliding bevel gears 58, 58' keyedto shaft 54 in the usual Way and meshing with beveled gears 59, 59'

secured to the upper ends of shafts 39, 39'.

with driven shaft 54 thus provides for adjustment of chains 17. 18 and17', 18 toward or away from each other without disturbing their drivingconnections.v A\djustments ot said chains are eti'ected by rotation ineither direction of a hand wheel 63 at the tending side of the machine,said hand wheel being secured on a shaft (Si having oppositely threadedportions 65 and 65 which engage correspoudin,Llr threads of aperturedbosses 66. 66 formed 011 upstandiug ribs 67, 67 of brackets 24, 24.Shaft 61 projects through a bearing bracket- 68 bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the underside of top crossconnecting rail 11 andlongitudinal movement of shaft 64 is prevented by collars 69.

and 70 secured to the shaft one at each side of the bracket, the colla-r69 preferably being formed integrally with hand wheel 63.

Hand wheel 57 is provided for the purpose .of initially adjusting chains17, 18, 17 18 with respect to the conveyor chain 14 so that theresilient carton engaging devices of the chains will always be inposition to grip the filled cartons when the same are delivered to thereceiving ends of the chains by the supports 13. rl`his synchronizingadjustment is made by disconnecting drive chain 51 by Ameans of theusual clutch lever, placing a filled carton on one of the supports 13and moving the sealing machine conveyor until the support is' positionedjust within the receiving ends of chains 17, 18and 17, 18. The handwheel is then rotated in the proper direction to bring the resilientcarton gripping members 22 into engagement With opposed sides of thecarton. After this initial synchronizing adjustment of the sealingmachine conveyor and the chains of the carton delivery mechanism, themachine may be operated continuously, the filled and sealed cartons onthe successive supports 13 being delivered between the receiving ends ofthe chains 17` 18 and 17` 18 Where the resilient carton gripping devices22 engage the cartons and carry the same to the receiving end of thedrier or delivery conveyor as above described. Said drier or deliveryconveyor, as shown in F 1, comprises superposed endless belts arrangedin space relation, the upper belt being indicated at 7l and the lowerbelt at 72. The receiving ends of said belts pass around pulleys 73 and74 mounted on shafts 75 and 76, said shafts being journalled on theouter ends of the chain supporting frames` The drive for belt 72comprises endless belt 77 which passes around a pulley 78- on drivenshaft 15 and a pulley 79 on shaft 76. The delivery conveyor is providedwith the usual upper and lower trames 8O and 81 in which are journalledthe drier rollers 82 and 83 which guide the opposed stretches of belts71 and 72. The carton delivery mechanism discharges the packages betweenthe upper and lower belts ofthe. drier or delivery conveyor and belt 71is driven either by engagement of the package therewith or othersuitable means, not shown. Y

Should it become necessary to readjust the conveyor of the cartonsealing machine and the chains ot' the carton delivery mechanism, afterthe machine has run for a certain length ot time. said readjustment maybe made in the manner described with reference to the initialadjustment. Moreover should it happen that the carton gripping embers 22of each chain fail to properly grip the package as by being out of lineat the carton gripping position, the said members may be adjusted byremoving the same from some of the links and attaching the grippingmembers to other links so that the carton gripping members will occupycorresponding p0- tions on the several chains.

The carton delivery mechanism is moreover adapted for use with theordinary carton top sealing machine. In machines of this type theconveyor is the same as employed with the combination carton sealingmachine except that the carton forms Vor blocks which carry the emptybottom sealed cartons are eliminated, the conveyor chain being providedonly with supports. The number of supports employed in a carton topsealing machine is substantially the same as the number of carton formsand supports employed in a combination carton sealing machine. Byplacing an additional set of resilient carton gripping members on eachchain of the delivery mechanism the same will be readily adapted todischarge cartons delivered thereto by the conveyor of a carton topsealing machine. The additional carton gripping members and theirposition of attachment on the chains is indicated by dotted lines inFig. 3 of the drawings. The construction and operation of the cartondelivery mechanism installed with a carton top sealing machine is thesame as described above with reference to a combination carton sealingmachine except that in each cycle of operation the chains with their twosets of carton gripping members engage and deliver two cartons to thedrier or delivery conveyor instead of one carton as above described.

Vhat is claimed is:

1. In combination, a carton feeding conveyor provided with alternatingcarton forms and supports. a pair of spaced endless carriers arrangedadjacent one end of said feeding conveyor', carton gripping devices ofnon-metallic resilient material secured at corresponding points on saidcarriers. and driving means for said conveyor and the carriers timed toprovide for passage of said carton forms between the carriers Withoutcontacting said carton gripping devices.

2. In combination, a carton feeding conveyor provided with alternatingcarton forms and supports, a pair of endless carriers spaced apart andoverlapping thpel delivery end of said feeding conveyor, grlppingdevices secured at corresponding points on said carriers, means foradjusting said carriers toward and away from each other,.and operatingmeans for said .feeding conveyor and the carriers timed to permitpassage of said carton forms betweenthe endless carriers withoutinterference with their gripping devices.

3. In combination with a carton sealing machine, a pair of carriagesslidably mounted on said machine for adjustment transversely of thesame, a pair of supporting frames secured on said slidably mountedcarriages and projecting beyond the delivery end of the machine, endlesscarriers on said frames for discharging cartons received from themachine, and means for adjusting said carriages, frames, and carriersbodily toward and away from each other to accommodate cartons ofdifferent sizes.

4. In combination with a carton sealing machine, a pair of supportingframes one at each side of the carton feeding conveyor of saidmachineand projecting beyond the delivery end thereof, endless carriers on saidframes and provided with detachable and adjustable carton engagingmembers of resilient material, and manually operable means for adjustingsaid frames and carriers toward and away from each other.

5. In combination, a carton feeding conveyor provided with alternatingcarton forms and supports, a pair of spaced endless carriers at thedelivery end of said conveyor and between which the carton forms andsupports pass, one or more resilient carton-gripping devices detachablysecured at corresponding points on said carriers, operating mechanismfor said feeding conveyor and the carriers, and adjustable meanssupporting the carriers and providing for relative initial movements ofthe carriers and the feeding conveyor whereby the gripping devices willengage cartons -on the carton supports and permit said carton forms topass freely through the carriers.

6. In combination with the feeding conveyor of a carton sealing machine,a p air of spaced adjustable endless carriers adapted to receive andtransport cartons delivered -therebetween by said conveyor, a source ofpower, continuously maintained driving connections between said carriersand said source of power and including intermeshing gears arranged inopposed adjustable sets, and means for adjusting said carriers and saidsets of gears toward and away from each other respectively.

7. In a carton discharging mechanism, a pair of endless carton carriers,a source of power, means for driving the carriers including opposed,displaceable sets of intermeshing gears continuously connected with saidsource and said carriers, and means for adjusting the carriers and saidsets of gears bodily toward and away from each other respectively.

8. In a carton discharging mechanism, a pair of adjustable endlesscarriers, a driven shaft, means continuously connecting said carrierswith the driven shaft and comprising intermeshing gears arranged in twosets each driving one of the carriers and bodily movable therewithrelative to said shaft, and means for moving the carriers and said setsof gears toward and away from each other.

